Retreat to the Highlands – in Search of …Something

Retreat to the Highlands

Was Culloden the last time a full retreat happened in the Highlands? If you’re into history you might say so. If you’re of a different bent you may disagree.

I’m at a very different sort of retreat, at a wee place on the far-side …

No, no, not that sort of image … the far side of Loch Ness and up the hill a bit, just about where the fork is on the cartoon.

Searching too?

In order to understand the world, one has to turn away from it on occasion …Albert Camus

Searching? Of course. I’m here to spend time … time on myself. I arrived with a laptop, clean pyjamas and an open mind.

What about the General Election? From the odd glimpse of social media, it’s heading to a climax.

Voting is another another story. My vote is in. Wonderful thing, a postal-vote.

Highland retreat

While our country chooses the the mutha-of-all-parliaments, I’m exploring inner-space. Writing, obviously, with opportunity to:

Network

Meditate

Reflect

Discuss

Share

Listen

Laugh

Exercise

Eat

Only the lonely?

Writing a solitary calling. Anyone who puts in effort, pencil-in-hand (hey Mark Leggatt), or at a keyboard, spends time wallowing in solitude.

Imagine, wrestling with a story or poem that may or may not want to emerge, and all alone. It’s like a trip to the dentist.

As a writer and member of the Society of Authors I had a chance to come out here. Why not? Here I am, with seasoned authors all around. Alone when I choose, engaged when I want … and with someone to hold my hand if it gets too tough.

R & R and working too

After weeks of hectic activity, I’m at ease with a nice bunch of people, nobody looking over my shoulder and can dip in or out as I please. Meals are fun with folk who know the agonies and ecstasies of creating books and poems.